Tooth Fillings

What Are Dental Fillings?

By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a fillingalso helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillingsinclude gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth–coloured fillings), and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc). If decay is already present, the area is first cleaned then restored.

How Long Do Fillings Last For?

Fillings can last fourtyyears if placed and cared for properly. For this reason, we don’t ‘fill’ teeth. We restore teeth, to closely mimic how nature inteded teeth to be built. The most common reasons restorations fail is because of gum disease or decay, and so keeping your mouth clean and healthy directly benefits your dental work.

What Is a Composite White Filling?

Composites are resin based materials that are aesthetically, cosmetically and functionally similar to the structures of teeth. Recent developments in material science mean that we can get excellent colour/anatomical adaption and finish of materials so that they become almost invisible. Composites are kind to teeth because we only remove the infected tissue, using a well practiced bonding technique to seal the material to the tooth structure.

What is an Amalgam filling?

An amalgam material is a metal alloy containing two or more metals. Dental amalgam tends to contain mercury, silver, tin, copper etc. Despite recent advancements; amalgam still has its place in Dentistry. It provides a strong, time-tested restorative material. Longevity of a well maintained amalgam restoration in ideal circumstances can be up to 10 years.